SaltSwitch Trial

The SaltSwitch trial app has been developed specifically for participants enrolled in a research study (The SaltSwitch trial) at the National Institute for Health Innovation, University of Auckland. The main aim of the SaltSwitch trial is to determine the effect of the SaltSwitch smartphone app on the salt content of food purchases made by households where at least one member has diagnosed cardiovascular disease.

Once downloaded, the app requires a password for it to work. Study participants who receive the SaltSwitch trial app and activation password will use the app to scan the barcodes of packaged foods at the supermarket or at home, using the camera on their phone. The app will then present participants with immediate, easy-to-understand information about that product’s nutritional make-up using a colour-coded system (red, amber and green). A list of similar foods that are healthier choices will also be provided. This feature suggests alternative products primarily on the basis of having a lower salt level. It also checks the overall profile of the food to make sure it is otherwise as healthy or healthier due to its levels of fat, sugar or other positive nutrients such as fibre, calcium and protein. This means the lower-salt choices suggested are good alternates for people with cardiovascular disease.

The SaltSwitch trial is funded by the Heart Foundation of New Zealand (grant # 1560) and registered in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN 12614000206628). Ethics approval for the SaltSwitch trial was obtained from the University of Auckland Human Participants Ethics Committee (Ref. 010998; expiry 16-Dec-2016).